[TheRealDunkirk]

So much this. The only thing that would be able to move the needle on public perception on this issue is wall-to-wall coverage in the written and televised press, and endless nameless talking heads decrying it on cable news shows. Only then would public opinion shift enough to pressure elected government officials to NOT try to do such things. And that will never happen, because the news organizations -- ALL of them, I'm convinced -- are at least influenced by the governmental parties, if not bought outright. Most of the time, I pick on the US, because I'm American, but I don't think that this is particular to the States. The notion of a "free press" is largely obviated by simple economics these days, because of the need for favorable treatment at the hands of tax codes and regulations to compete in the world economy. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you."